I remember it like it was yesterday. Public Enemy was appearing on Saturday Night Live to support their newly released “The Enemy Strikes Back”. Before the group did their 1st number Chuck D standing front and center as always with his right fist raised stated “Let’s have a moment of silence for Miles Davis”! That was Sept. 28,1991. Within a split second I realized that one of the world’s greatest musicians to ever walk this earth was gone. This was pre-internet, pre-twitter, pre-Pac and all the other music artists related deaths. The closet thing I can think of that relates to that moment was Marvin Gaye’s passing. But this was Miles Davis……MILES DAVIS. The Miles Davis who changed music 4-5 times. The Miles Davis who was one of the most respected musicians ever- regardless of genre. The Miles Davis..who was cool enough to hang out with Bird and Diz and years later hang out Prince and Michael. Miles Davis the Definition of cool. Certain parts of society consider “classical” music to be the music of class and culture. I’ve yet to see any classical musician have the universal appeal that could span musical generations like Miles Davis did. Miles Davis was/is classic cool! (more…)
*Cue Kriss Kross* The subject of this editorial has been on my mind for a minute… wrote a song about like to hear it? Here it go!!!
Add me, confirm me, follow me please
If you have a little time can you rate how I sing?
I had to stop after those two lines to write this. But seriously, what I’m ranting about today is the ever present (especially as it relates to music) “I’m about to do this or that” that you cannot escape from on any social network whether it is a “celebrity” or someone who aspires to be. I have certainly been guilty of using that phrase, I still probably use it from time to time but my problem is the incessant “I’m about to-ers”. You know the folks that out of the 24hours in each day that we’ve been allotted 18 of those hours they are on Twitter or Facebook talking about what they are going to do musically. Oh they are out there… some successful and some not so, some talented and some not so. (more…)
Miles with his second great quintet: Herbie Hancock -Piano, Ron Carter – Bass, Tony Williams – Drums, Wayne Shorter – Tenor Saxophone. All of the great music produced in this country in one way or the other owes a debt of gratitude to the Blues. Yes, this is the good kind! Enjoy!
There are a myriad of reasons that Miles Davis is the inspiration for this post. However, one trait that stands above the rest for me is that Miles was never afraid to be Miles. Now you may ask yourself(cue Talking Heads) what does this have to do with Black History Month? Everything.
No one makes history by following the status quo, no one. Miles Davis always pushed his music forward, never comfortable, always searching for innovation and above all else never listening to “critics”. When I first became aware of the music of Miles Davis I was a kid in the 80′s listening to those great records he made with Marcus Miller, which (you guessed it) are often criticized by folks who wanted Miles to continue to wear Italian suits and play “My Funny Valentine” nightly. Miles Davis always had an answer for critics and it usually began with the 6th letter of the alphabet and ended with the 21st. (more…)
From time to time I will be posting the incredible content that they have stored up at Artist House. Check out what the late great producer Teo Macero had to say about finding success in the music business.
Doesn’t matter what genre of music it is there will always be ongoing debates about what is and what isn’t representative of a certain musical style. I must say though, that I have never seen someone so eloquently make the case for moving the music forward and the importance of understanding the intention of an artist as opposed to the opinion of a critic as James Mtume. Enjoy!
